When will television get switched on and realise that the
world is changing outside the box and viewers are not only becoming more
educated but getting tired of the same archaic, deep-rut approaches to
certain subjects--and in this instance I am referring to Spiritualism.

Once again, for the umpteenth time, television fell back
on the usual outworn, over-played, stereotyped gimmick of confronting a
psychic with a professional entertainer. The pattern is the same every time.
The professional, brimming over with smiling confidence and make-up,
announces that he can produce the same effects without having to call up the
Spirits - though it always goes unsaid that he will require plenty of time
beforehand and materials in some secret place to prepare the "phenomena".
Television will improve their "vision" when they can produce a professional
who announces that he will produce the same results as a psychic but
under the same conditions as the Medium.

So far in the entire history of television and radio not
one has come forward.

On Thursday, April 8th, Thames Television once again
dragged out the tattered gimmick when Carol Mayes was invited to speak on
the "Today" programme about her remarkable gift of psychic photography.

After showing a number of Carol's psychic photos, which to
the initiated would be extremely remarkable and convincing, Thames brought
in their professional photographer.

After listening to Carol's explanations, spoken with
obvious honesty and sincerity, that she knew very little about photography
and nothing about the technical side, the professional delivered a highly
technical speech which showed he was so steeped in traditionalism and
professionalism that it was doubtful whether he would be able to know the
difference between a development class and developing fluid.

Details regarding double exposures and superimpositions
created obvious expressions of bewilderment and amazement on Carol's face,
especially when he produced number of highly professional and very glossy
photographs which, he explained, when superimposed one upon the other would
produce a "psychic" photo - he did not mention that he could produce the
same effect with an old-fashioned box "Brownie" - the only equipment which
Carol possesses.

However, Spiritualists and non-Spiritualists alike will be
immensely impressed and, I am certain, convinced by the work of Carol Mayes
because her simple charm and obvious sincerity and honesty completely
overwhelmed and dematerialised the case for the professional.

Tom Johanson was the secretary of the SAGB in London and
was also the husband of Coral Polge, the psychic artist.